Police beat Mukura for first win of the season

Friday Mukura 1-2 Police FC SaturdayMarine vs APR FC 3:30pmEspoir vs Etincelles AS Kigali vs Miroplast Sunrise vs Gicumbi Amagaju vs Kirehe SundayRayon Sports vs SC Kiyovu 3:30pmMusanze vs Bugesera Police FC defeated Mukura Victory Sports 2-1 in the only Azam Rwanda Premier League match played on Friday at Huye Stadium to keep their winning record against the Huye-based club for the sixth year in a row. Innocent Seninga’s Police went into the game on the back of defeat in their league season opener 3-1 against Etincelles and knew another defeat would bring early pressure to them, while Mukura were hoping to make it two victories in a row having won their opener 1-0 away to Kirehe FC. After a goalless first half, striker Isaie Songa put Police ahead in the 63rd minute after a good cross from Amini Muzerwa, who came on as a second half substitute for Yves Manishimwe. Rwanda international Justin Mico increased the lead seven minutes later before David Nshimirimana pulled one back for the home team in the 80th minute. Mukura dominated the proceedings enjoying 52 per cent of ball possession. In first half, Mukura had three good chances to open the scoring through Gael Duhayindavyi, Rachid Mutebi and Said Iragena but were denied by goalie Marcel Nzarora. Police FC’s last defeat against Mukura came way back in the 2011/2012 season under Emmanuel Ruremesha when they were beaten 2-1. The league will continue on Saturday when Marines host APR at Umuganda Stadium. APR FC got their bid for a record-extending 17th league title off to a winning start, beating Sunrise FC 2-0 in their season opener. Marines won 2-1 against newly promoted Miroplast FC. After drawing against champions Rayon Sports in the first match, AS Kigali will host Miroplast at Kigali Stadium; Sunrise FC will be up against Gicumbi, who won their league opener against Espoir. SC Kiyovu will visit Rayon Sports on Sunday at Kigali Stadium seeking to revenge for their defeat to the blues on the final day of last season. The 2-1 defeat sealed Kiyovu’s relegation to the second division for the first time in the club’s 53-year history but they were handed a second chance after promoted Isonga FC withdrew from participating in the topflight league. editorial@newtimes.co.rw